Travel Matters

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The Power To Fly

Something wonderful is taking shape – colourful plans to
bring groups of visitors from the UK, Europe, Australia, the US and other
developed countries on life-changing trips to Kenya for a combination of
volunteering and exciting travel.

I first came across the term “voluntourism” in 2012 when I
met an extraordinary man, John Lawler who founded Madventurer– a scheme for students on
their gap year - between graduating high school and starting university - to
volunteer in challenging projects in developing countries with the opportunity
to Make A Difference while having a grand adventure.

John Lawler, a pioneer of voluntourism

I interviewed this modest achiever one sunny day near the
Tower of London and was inspired by John's
story of starting out with a tiny seed of an idea that grew into the mighty
tree of a flourishing worldwide charity.

That summer

I did an exciting trip with Madventurer to Ghana as
possibly the oldest “gap year” volunteer ever and discovered the joy of making heartwarming connections with people living in another culture!

Coming Alive in Ghana

Meeting the beautiful children and talented musicians in Ghana on my Madventurer trip in 2012

Voluntourism takes hold

And here I am five years later in rural Kenya returning to
the theme of ‘voluntourism’, excited about the possibility of empowerment and
transformation for both visitors and local people.

Millicent and I imagine that international visitors can come
and volunteer in the Faraja Community Centre and help with the kids’ activities,
the ladies’ sewing project, nutritious cooking classes and planting the community
vegetable garden.

Volunteering is certainly NOT about White People flying in
as superior, condescending Saviours to tell poor Black People what to do! Oh no,
no, no! Volunteering is about an equal, respectful cultural exchange – a
sharing of knowledge, creativity and traditions that becomes enriching and
expansive for everyone. For example visitors can share their favourite recipes
with local women who will share their traditional dishes.

Sweet Bananas

Here’s how respectful, equal friendship works. On Sunday I
gave Anne some chocolate to say ‘Asante’ for her delicious meals – a real treat
for Anne, who, unlike me, doesn’t get to have much chocolate! Today Anne gave
me a perfect bunch of yellow, dainty Lady Finger bananas from her garden – a
real treat for me, who relishes good quality, sweet bananas!

I believe people from different cultures can learn much from
each other. The cultural exchange adds spice and novelty to bland, jaded lives.
And we can make interesting new friends across countries, despite how
politicians would divide us and build borders and walls to keep people apart,
cultivating ignorance, fear and hostility. The truth is we are all human
beings, connected as one big global family – mothers and fathers, brothers and
sisters, sons and daughters.

Adventure for All Ages

And what about adventure? Together with Millicent and Garama
and their sons, Peter and Eliud, we are devising a range of exhilarating trips
to integrate into a three-week stay in rural Kenya.

On arriving in Nairobi, groups will visit the heart-warming Giraffe Centre and Elephant Orphanage before heading upcountry where trips will
include game drives to see African wildlife in spectacular Meru National Park
staying in the beautiful eco lodge; camping in Mount
Kenya National Park , field trips to the remote villages with Millicent,
day trips to the nearby tranquil waterfall lagoon, visits to lush hillside
coffee and tea plantations and optional extras such as visiting the exotic
tribal people, the
Maasai Mara and finally the ultimate
add-on for those who are up for experiencing a tropical paradise?

Tongue kissing a giraffe at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi

Keepers feeding the babies at the Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi

Brothers, Eliud and Peter at Mount Kenya national Park

A Colobus monkey we spotted on the road to Mount Kenya

Eco lodge at Meru National Park

Chogoria waterfall

Maasai women on my safari in 2016

George, my new Maasai friend

Peter, a Maasai chief on his smart phone near the Mara River,
teeming with crocodiles

A sleepy lioness spotted by the road on my first game drive on the Maasai Mara

A family of cheetah relax in the shade on the Maasai plains

Magnetic Mombasa

When I first saw the word ‘Mombasa’ on the map of Kenya and
neighbouring Diani Beach (with my name on it!), I was enchanted by the musical
sound of the word as it rolled around my tongue. I quietly vowed to visit.
However I never made it to the legendary coastal town on my last trip in 2016.

Mombasa is apparently a laid-back hippy haven of non-stop
reggae parties and hot and steamy, glorious beaches, full of beautiful bodies
basking in endless sunshine.

Over and over the hypnotic word “Mombasa” keeps cropping up.
People whisper about romantic adventures camping under the stars with a view of
Mount Kilimanjaro on the way to Mombasa!

And now the long-awaited new train from Nairobi to Mombasa
is finally running, taking travellers right through spectacular Tsavo National
Park with wild animals roaming free – you can spot buffalo, zebra, giraffes,
lions, elephants from the window of the train!

The word ‘Mombasa’ evokes rapturous reactions even in
reserved people.

While having lunch - a mountain of masala chips and spanish
omelette - on the balcony overlooking
the rainforest at the Snow Peak Hotel, Pastor Garama’s face lights up at the
mention of Mombasa! Suddenly he is lost in the revelry of fond memories of the magical
town where he grew up with three brothers and three sisters, running free!

Young Mark, the surgeon I met at the guesthouse, raves about
Mombasa as some kind of paradise and warns that once you succumb to Mombasa’s idyllic
charms, the danger is you never want to leave!

Idyllic Mombasa beach that captures the heart and soul of visitors

For the Wild At Heart
Only

For the wild at heart and the eternally youthful, I’m
imagining running three trips a year – in the dry months of January/February (a
great escape from the bleak English winter); May/June (slightly cooler in
Kenya) and the springtime of August/September for groups of nine to 12 people,
in age groups of energetic young people aged 20 to 35, mid-lifers, aged 35 – 50
and the adventurous Over 50s. The question is, can you see yourself joining in
the life-changing voluntourism movement?

The Power to Fly

The metamorphosis of the lowly caterpillar into a beautiful
butterfly is an inspiring symbol of transformation. But have you imagined what
it actually FEELS like to be that mundane grub, wriggling along munching
through leaves mindlessly, running on instinct, never looking beyond the next
leaf, until one day you decide to spin yourself a reclusive cocoon where you
retreat to contemplate your life’s higher purpose. While in this dark slumber
something miraculous is taking place. You are being transformed! Suddenly you
emerge with shock and exhilaration – you are reborn in a different form – with
a set of beautiful wings with the power to fly!

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About Me

Hello Friends,
Rather than focusing on what the world can do for you, consider what you can do for the world!
Our planet is in crisis and needs us all to solve problems and improve the quality of life.
Everyone, whatever age, can use their wisdom, compassion and skills to improve life for humans, animals and the planet.
I challenge you to embrace a life of love and purpose.
I am an experienced journalist with a long career writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications in Australia and the UK. I'm also a qualified counsellor and workshop facilitator.
These days, I'm passionate about empowering communities with knowledge about health, human rights and ending harmful practices across Africa.
Share my journey and be inspired to Make A Difference!